UK remains the main market for inbound tourists at 29%

Tourstat data for April showed an increase of 8.5 per cent in total inbound visitors when compared to the corresponding month last year. Total expenditure went up by 5.7 per cent to €101.6 million.

The UK remained the main market for inbound tourism, with a share of 29 per cent. The Italian market came second with 16 per cent. Both markets registered increases of 5 and 10 per cent respectively. The French and German markets remained practically unchanged compared to last year.

Total inbound visitors during April were estimated at 133,771. Excluding the 598 passengers who stayed overnight on board a berthed cruise vessel, 133,173 were departing tourists, an increase of 8.3 per cent.

Tourstat survey results show that 108,359 tourists visited Malta for holiday purposes, accounting for the absolute majority of trips. A significant increase of 55 per cent was registered among business tourists.

First-time visitors increased by 5 per cent over 2012. Inbound tourism from EU Member States increased by 9 per cent, representing 88 per cent of departing tourists. Meanwhile, tourists from outside the EU decreased slightly, to 15,441.

Total nights spent went up by 6 per cent, reaching 878,959. In absolute terms, the majority of guest nights were spent in collective accommodation establishments. However, in percentage terms, a substantial increase was noted in the number of tourists residing in private accommodation. The average length of stay stood at 6.6 nights, down by 0.2 when compared to April 2012.

During the reference month, total expenditure of departing tourists was estimated at €101.6 million, up by 6 per cent over the corresponding month last year. Expenditure on non-package travel went up by 17 per cent, while package expenditure remained at par with last year’s levels.

The total number of tourists who visited Malta between January and April is estimated at 351,272. Of these, 348,788 were departing tourists, an increase of 7 per cent over the comparable period in 2012.

The main origin of inbound tourism continued to be the British market, followed by the Italian and German markets.

Non-package travel was higher than package travel, with an estimated 52 per cent of departing tourists. Nonetheless, those opting for package travel went up by 7 per cent when compared to 2012.

On a gender basis, male tourists exceeded their female counterparts, accounting for 53 per cent of the total. The largest proportion of inbound tourists were aged between 45 and 64, followed by those within the 25-44 age bracket.

Total nights spent by departing tourists went up by 10 per cent, at 2.6 million. The majority of guest nights were spent in collective accommodation establishments, where an increase of 4 per cent was reported. The average length of stay stood at 7.3 nights, up by 0.2 over 2012.

During the period under review, total tourist expenditure was estimated at €265.4 million, 8 per cent higher than 2012. Increases were recorded throughout all expenditure categories. Total per capita expenditure increased to €761.